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Means of Suicide

The most common means of suicide in the United States is a firearm, followed by suffocation and then poisoning.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of suicides among males involve a firearm.

Among females, the leading means of suicide death is poisoning. This includes both drug and non-drug poisoning.

Firearms are the most common method of suicide used by males of all ages, especially those ages 65 years and older. Among females, suffocation is the most common method among those ages 15 to 24, while poisoning is the most common method among females ages 25 to 64.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is supported by a grant (1 U79 SM062297) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). No official endorsement by SAMHSA or DHHS for the information on this website is intended or should be inferred.